貼

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

貝 (조개 패) — semantic component, meaning “money” or “value,” symbolizing transaction or exchange.

占 (점거할 점) — phonetic component, providing the sound cheop (from Old Chinese temʔ) and implying “to mark,” “to hold,” or “to place firmly.”

Together, they convey the idea of “placing value upon” or “pressing something into place” — hence to paste, attach, or apply.

The image suggests a coin (貝) being pressed or fixed (占) — from which both “attaching” and “granting money” naturally arise.

貼紙 (첩지) — sticker; label

貼上 (첩상) — to paste; to affix

貼近 (첩근) — to be close to; to approach

貼心 (첩심) — intimate; caring; heartfelt

貼身 (첩신) — close-fitting; intimate; personal

貼補 (첩보) — to subsidize; to make up for loss

津貼 (진첩) — allowance; subsidy

補貼 (보첩) — to compensate; to grant aid

貼花 (첩화) — decorative applique; to decorate by pasting

貼文 (첩문) — to post an article or comment (esp. online)

In classical Chinese, 貼 referred primarily to pasting paper or fabric using glue — an essential act in writing, art, and administration.

Documents, seals, or official notices were “pasted” (貼) onto walls or scrolls.

Later, the meaning broadened:

In economic contexts, 貼 denoted monetary aid or compensation (津貼, 補貼).

In social contexts, it came to imply emotional closeness or attachment (貼心, 貼身).

The evolution from “to stick” to “to support” reveals how the metaphor of closeness extended from the physical to the moral and affectionate — to be “attached” in care or devotion.

「貼己之情，以感人心。」

“By attaching one’s heart to others, one moves their hearts.”

In modern Chinese, 貼 is highly versatile — used in both the physical sense (“붙이다”), and the digital one (“to post online”), reflecting continuity from ancient acts of posting on walls to posting on screens.

貼 symbolizes connection and nearness — the act of bringing things, people, or hearts together.

The 貝 element grounds it in value and exchange, while 占 implies placement and intention.

It expresses both physical adhesion and emotional adherence, embodying the virtue of closeness born of sincerity.

「貼者，合而不離也。」

“To adhere is to unite without separation.”

Thus, 貼 stands for unity — a joining that is both firm and gentle.

貼 teaches the beauty of connection through care.

Whether it is words that stick in the heart, gifts that show affection, or quiet closeness between people — attachment becomes meaningful when guided by sincerity.

「心貼於人，情自不遠。」

“When the heart is close to others, distance disappears.”

Therefore, 貼 stands as a character of attachment, affection, and support — reminding us that what we “stick” to in life, whether people, principles, or purposes, reveals the true orientation of our hearts.